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Concepcion, Larkin to throw first pitches for opener

Lifetime Reds shortstops and former captains to toss simultaneously before game

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Larkin enters the Hall of Fame 3:41

Former Cincinnati Reds shortstop Barry Larkin caps his illustrious 19-year Major League career with his induction into the Hall of Fame

By Mark Sheldon
/
MLB.com |

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Two of the greatest shortstops in Reds history and the last two players to hold the title of team captain will make ceremonial first pitches on Opening Day.

Before the Reds host the Cardinals at 4:10 p.m. ET on March 31, Dave Concepcion and Barry Larkin will throw their pitches simultaneously.

Both players will be pulling double duty of sorts on Opening Day. Concepcion was already named last month as the grand marshal of the 95th Findlay Market Opening Day Parade. Larkin will be performing his regular job as an ESPN analyst on Baseball Tonight, which will base its pregame show live on Crosley Terrace outside of Great American Ball Park.

Concepcion enjoyed a 19-season career spent entirely with the Reds from 1970-88, and he was named team captain in 1983. He was inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame in 2000, and his No. 13 jersey was retired by the Reds in 2007.

Larkin had his own 19-season career, all in his hometown of Cincinnati, and was named team captain before the 1997 season and entered the Reds Hall of Fame in 2008. His No. 11 was retired in 2012, the same year he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Mark My Word, and follow him on Twitter @m_sheldon. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.